IDB Lab

What IDB Lab does

IDB Lab is the innovation and venture arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., operating across 26 Latin American and Caribbean countries. It functions as a development finance institution (DFI) targeting early-stage innovation and entrepreneurship in markets underserved by private capital. Its products span direct equity/quasi-equity tickets of US$200K–US$500K at seed and US$1M–US$3M at Series A/B, debt products of US$500K–US$5M over 3–7 year terms at market rates, ecosystem project grants of US$750K–US$2M requiring 50% counterpart funding, and VC fund investments of US$2M–US$10M per fund. IDB Lab operates a strict co-investor model, never leading rounds, and channels capital through flagship platforms including WeXchange, fAIr LAC, GovTech Connect, Silver Economy, CIVLAC, CARIBEquity, Spain-LATAM Scale Up, TSUBASA, Latitud R, Source of Innovation, and GET Forum, alongside challenge programs such as Amazonia BioBuilders, BlueTech for Waste, and AquaCerta2. Leadership comprises Irene Hofman (CEO) and Magdalena Coronel (CIO), with a workforce of 101–250 employees, and the entity is supported by IDB Group member-state capital and partnerships with other multilaterals such as JICA and IFC.

Name

IDB Lab

Legal name

IDB Lab (Innovation and Venture Arm of Inter-American Development Bank Group)

Website

https://bidlab.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

IDB Lab is the innovation and venture arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, deploying equity, debt, grants, and fund-of-funds capital across 26 Latin American and Caribbean countries to back early-stage ventures, VC funds, and innovation ecosystems alongside co-financiers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Development Finance & Impact Investing

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Other Financial Vehicles (52599), Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282), Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Sector & Blended Finance Arms (IFC-type) (BPADACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) (BPADACAA), Development Finance & Blended Finance Facilities (BPADAOAD), Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Development finance institution
• Venture capital investments
• Impact investing
• Entrepreneurship ecosystems
• Innovation financing

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Equity and Quasi-Equity Investments: IDB Lab invests equity and quasi-equity in high-impact early-stage companies and VC funds, targeting returns through capital appreciation and exits via IPOs or acquisitions. Investments range from US$200K-US$500K (seed) to US$1M-US$3M (Series A/B) for direct investments, and US$2M-US$10M for fund investments. The institution co-invests with experienced partners under market conditions.
2. Debt Products: Provides debt financing (US$500K-US$5M) to high-impact startups and innovative companies addressing development challenges in LAC. Includes venture debt with convertibility options and/or stock warrant options. Terms range from 3-7 years at market-based interest rates.
3. Ecosystem Project Grants: Technical assistance grants (US$750K-US$2M) for ecosystem building projects, typically structured as non-reimbursable cooperation technical, sometimes complemented with contingent recovery resources and/or investment products. Requires minimum 50% counterpart funding.
4. VC Fund Investments: Invests in venture capital funds (US$2M-US$10M per fund) aligned with IDB Lab's investment thesis, focusing on nascent/emerging ecosystems, regionalization, or sector-specific funds in high-impact areas like health, edtech, agtech, and climate tech.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IDB Lab is the innovation and venture arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group. It provides flexible financing (equity/quasi-equity investments of US$200K-US$3M, venture debt of US$500K-US$5M, VC fund LP commitments of US$2M-US$10M, and ecosystem grants of US$750K-US$2M) to early-stage high-impact startups, VC fund managers, and ecosystem support organizations across 26 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. It also runs flagship platforms and innovation challenges (WeXchange, fAIr LAC, GovTech Connect, Silver Economy, CIVLAC) to foster entrepreneurial ecosystems and adoption of disruptive technologies.

Product overview

IDB Lab is the innovation and venture arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of financing products (equity/quasi-equity investments in VC funds and startups, debt products, ecosystem projects), flagship platforms (WeXchange for female STEMpreneurship, fAIr LAC for responsible AI, GovTech Connect for public sector innovation, Silver Economy for senior inclusion, CIVLAC for corporate-startup linkages), and innovation challenges. Financing ranges from US$200K seed investments to US$10M fund investments, with debt products from US$500K-US$5M. The portfolio spans Latin America and the Caribbean with focus on impact investing, tech entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WeXchange: The pioneering platform for promoting female STEMpreneurship in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Silver Economy
• fAIr LAC
• CIVLAC
• GovTech Connect
• AuRA

Products and services

• Equity and Quasi-Equity Investment Direct equity/quasi-equity investments in early-stage high-impact startups in Latin America and the Caribbean, ranging from US$200K-US$500K (seed) to US$1M-US$3M (Series A/B). Always co-invests with experienced institutional partners under market conditions.
• VC Fund Investments (LP Commitments) Limited Partnership commitments of US$2M-US$10M to venture capital funds targeting Latin America and the Caribbean. Minimum fund size US$20M (US$10M for nascent ecosystems). At least 80% of capital must be invested in LAC companies.
• Debt Products Debt financing of US$500K-US$5M to growth-stage innovative startups and companies with revenues exceeding US$1M. Terms of 3-7 years (average 5 years) at market-based interest rates, with grace periods up to 24 months for principal and optional equity features (convertibility, warrants).
• Ecosystem Projects (Grants) Technical assistance grants of US$750K-US$2M for ecosystem building projects led by foundations, incubators, academia, and public entities. Requires minimum 50% counterpart funding and execution periods of 2-3 years.
• WeXchange Pioneering platform for promoting female STEMpreneurship (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) in Latin America and the Caribbean through competitions, mentorship, and networking programs.
• fAIr LAC Partnership between public and private sectors, civil society, and academic institutions to influence public policy and the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• CIVLAC (Corporate Impact Venturing) Corporate impact venturing platform fostering linkages between large companies and innovative startups seeking to solve social and environmental challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Silver Economy Platform addressing accelerated aging of population in Latin America and the Caribbean by leveraging the value of senior citizens as a source of opportunities and economic growth.
• GovTech Connect Regional initiative promoted by IDB Lab and implemented by Red de Innovación Local (RIL) fostering collaboration between local governments, startups, and technology communities to address public challenges through innovative solutions in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay.
• Source of Innovation Public-private alliance to promote development and adoption of innovative solutions in the water, sanitation, and solid waste sector for smart, inclusive, and sustainable services in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Latitud R Leading regional platform to articulate actions, investments, and knowledge on inclusive recycling towards a circular economy in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Spain-LATAM Scale Up Immersion program in the Spanish entrepreneurial ecosystem for Latin America and Caribbean startups seeking to expand to Spain as gateway to the European market. Partners include ICEX-Invest in Spain and Endeavor.
• TSUBASA Open innovation program contributing to SDGs in Latin America and the Caribbean by leveraging innovative businesses of Japanese startups. Partners include Japanese startup ecosystem and Japan-LAC networks.
• CARIBEquity Facility co-funded by the European Union and IDB Lab dedicated to strengthening the Caribbean investment ecosystem and promoting inclusive private sector innovation.
• GET Forum (Global Entrepreneurship and Technology Forum) Global Entrepreneurship and Technology Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean serving as IDB Group innovation platform for impact.
• Amazonia BioBuilders (Innovation Challenge) Innovation challenge supporting bioeconomy models across Amazonia as part of the IDB Group's Amazonia Forever regional coordination program, in partnership with Green Climate Fund.
• Connected Finance 55+ (Mexico) Initiative in Mexico to expand digital and financial inclusion for older adults and micro and small businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over US$3 billion in VC investment attracted to agtech sector in LAC since 2010
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Fundación Bolívar DaviviendacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026IDB Lab and Fundación Bolívar Davivienda launched AuRA (Impact Investment Ecosystem Accelerator) in Colombia with up to US$700,000 matching fund for co-investments. The program aims to strengthen 140 investors, support 110+ participants in impact criteria, and facilitate 30+ investments in impact companies over three years.
• WeXchangeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPioneering platform for promoting female STEMpreneurship in Latin America and the Caribbean. Supports women entrepreneurs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through competitions, mentorship, and networking.
• GovTech Connect / Red de Innovación Local (RIL)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional initiative promoted by IDB Lab and implemented by RIL, fostering collaboration among local governments, startups, and technology communities to address public challenges through innovative solutions. Currently operating in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay.
• fAIr LACflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between public and private sectors, civil society, and academic institutions to influence public policy and the entrepreneurial ecosystem for responsible use of artificial intelligence in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Silver EconomyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatform addressing accelerated aging of population in Latin America and the Caribbean by leveraging the value of senior citizens as a source of opportunities and economic growth.
• CIVLACflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate Impact Venturing platform facilitating linkages between large companies and innovative startups seeking to solve social and environmental challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Amazon Conservation Team Guianas (ACT)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementing the Matawai Liba community-based tourism project in Suriname, working with 82 households and 11 local tourism enterprises in 90,000 hectares of Amazon rainforest.
• Conservación Amazónica (ACEAA)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementing Pando Verde project in Bolivia's Amazon, working with 31 communities and 6 producer associations on sustainable forest management and Brazil nut/açaí value chains.
• Canopy Bridge / EcoDecisióncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPlatform developing markets for underutilized Amazonian ingredients in Ecuador, benefiting 600 small-scale producers and strengthening 10 bioenterprises in Napo and Pastaza provinces.
• CARIBEquityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacility co-funded by European Union and IDB Lab dedicated to strengthening the Caribbean investment ecosystem and promoting inclusive private sector innovation.
• Spain-LATAM Scale UpflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerImmersion program in Spanish entrepreneurial ecosystem for LAC startups seeking to expand to Spain as gateway to European market. Partners include ICEX-Invest in Spain and Endeavor.
• TSUBASAflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpen innovation program contributing to SDGs in LAC by leveraging innovative businesses of Japanese startups. Partners include Japanese startup ecosystem and Japan-LAC networks.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Proparco: French DFI subsidiary of AFD investing in private-sector growth across Africa, Asia, and LAC. Comparable to IDB Lab in providing equity, quasi-equity, and VC fund commitments to early-stage businesses in emerging markets.
• FMO (Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank): Dutch DFI investing equity, debt, and grants in early- and growth-stage companies across emerging markets including LAC. Directly comparable to IDB Lab in mandate, ticket sizes, and multi-instrument approach, with overlapping co-financing relationships.
• International Finance Corporation (IFC): The private-sector arm of the World Bank Group and the archetype for IFC-type venture and growth investing in EM. IFC co-invests alongside IDB Lab in vehicles such as CANARY IV and operates the same blended-finance playbook in frontier markets, making it the closest functional peer.
• CAF (Development Bank of Latin America): Latin American development bank serving many of the same 26 countries as IDB Lab. While more focused on infrastructure and sovereign lending, CAF shares IDB Lab's LAC regional mandate and increasingly co-finances venture and innovation programs.
• Acumen: Non-profit impact investor deploying patient equity and grant capital into early-stage companies serving low-income populations across LAC, East Africa, and South Asia. Closest pure-impact analogue to IDB Lab's early-stage, blended-finance approach.
• DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft): German development finance institution providing long-term equity and debt to private enterprises in developing countries. Similar mission, instrument mix, and LP-style fund commitments make DEG a structural peer to IDB Lab.
• British International Investment (BII): UK development finance institution investing across equity, debt, and climate funds in emerging markets. Comparable to IDB Lab in deploying patient capital and co-investing alongside other DFIs to build frontier venture ecosystems.

Broad incumbents

• BNDES (Brazilian Development Bank): Brazil's national development bank and a major LAC financier. Comparable to IDB Lab in providing blended-finance instruments, though BNDES is far larger and oriented toward large-cap corporate credit and infrastructure rather than early-stage venture.
• European Investment Bank (EIB): Multilateral lender providing equity, debt, and guarantees across Europe and emerging markets. Comparable to IDB Lab in instrument range and development mandate, though EIB is far larger and oriented toward infrastructure and climate finance rather than early-stage venture.

Emerging players

• Omidyar Network: Philanthropic investment firm funded by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, providing equity, debt, and grants to for-profit and non-profit ventures tackling social challenges including financial inclusion in LAC. Comparable in instrument mix and impact orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/idb_lab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments50 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IDB Lab